Updates and 3 posts of photos!!!

They boys love to play together. I got lucky the evening that I was getting some pictures after their haircuts (see previous post) and got some really good ones of them together. This one was a good one since they were Spider-man and Venom. One morning as we were getting ready for school the boys wanted to take some pictures. Well at 5:50, there is not much to take pictures of and since Riley was having a bad hair day and woke up a tad grumpy, Mommy got to play model. They actually did a really good job. Now if this mommy could look a little better, they would be perfect! :)
Caleb's shot
Ian's Shot
Just looking outside


Can you tell who the favorite is??????

Pictures

We had company over a few weeks ago to visit with Brett and April Emerson while they were home on furlough. One of the couples, Amy and Charlie had a newborn son and Riley was completely IN LOVE with this child. She wanted to hold him and started at him. She rubbed his head for a little bit and he fell asleep. She kept looking at me and Matt and asking if she could have one. It almost- ALMOST, made me want another one, just to see her do that again!


The boys got their summer cuts about a week ago (I know, I'm late in posting pictures. I posted the b-ball video before these!). They had been begging to get their hair cut like Daddy's, so we finally gave in. They love their new looks. They went to Lebanon with me on a day they all had appointment's, Rebecca (a great friend) about died, because she loved their hair. She always wanted her boys to have Ian's hair. There is a picture below that has both boys hair in one pile- let me tell you- it was massive!! Riley was not too happy that she couldn't get her hair cut like the boys. I am struggling with getting it cut. I love how long it is, but I know she wants to get her hair cut so bad. I may try to cut it around the time she turns 3. I suppose it has to happen at some point! :)




My boys new Do's

Random Photos

Our budding Rock Star- He loves to rock out with Daddy
Caleb was playing and singing Ian was doing percussion sounds and Riley
was the Groupie wiggling along
Miss. Rock Star
Looking at the snail Mommy found- she is not to fond of bugs!
Coloring on a Rainy Day

Mad Skills

Keep scrolling down- there are 3 new updates ! More to come soon.. ;)

Promised Picture of Jake

My precious nephew, Jacob! isn't he just adorable! Jake and Heather are doing great. Kait was a little worried about going near Heather, but once all the "hook-ups" are gone I'm sure she will feel more secure. Linda said that he was such an easy going baby and that he just chills out with everyone. Hopefully I'll get to see this little man soon. Riley cannot wait to snug on him either!

Just posting some random pictures from the earlier part of this month/end of Feb. Every other month or so, we take the kids to the toy store and let them pick out a toy. Caleb chose a guitar (which he loves), Ian an Army Helicopter, and Riley a My Little Pony Doctor Kit. They had so much fun playing with them. Even now a month later, they are enjoying them. I have also really started potty training with Riley. For Christmas she got some underwear (oops....panties- underwear is for boys!) and she has so much fun picking them out herself. She is doing really good at school and there are several days we go the whole day with a dry pull-up. So I think by the summer she will be good and hopefully we can knock down the pull-up budget! :) I was going to put a picture in here of her in the Pony panties, but for the sake of the male readers out there, I didn't.

Great News!

2 wonderful things happened today. the most important is the fact that we have a new nephew!! Jacob Scott Stewart was born early this morning! I am awaiting a picture to post on here with his stats, but keep looking. I'm going to bug my MIL to get me a picture, since mom needs her time with Jake (yes I will be calling him that!!) :) I am way excited and cannot wait to meet him!

The next important thing is that I was re-hired for the 2008-2009 school year. I had already been told I would be coming back quite a while ago, but when you don't have tenure, you get a little nervous regardless what your principal tells you. There were 4 teachers let go this year and several that are being transferred to other schools. There was one gentleman let go, that we were all surprised on. He is having a hard time dealing with it and I would ask your prayers for him. His name is Franklin. I am not quiet sure what I will be teaching. We are restructuring the CDC department and that means up-heaving everything!! But I think it will be a great move in the right direction. I will either have 10th grade (which I teach now) or I will have the Gateway CDC class. Basically I would have all SPED CDC students that are able to take the state wide assessments, and spend the majority of my time teaching then the test material. If you want a regular ed diploma, you have to pass a Biology, Algebra and Writing Gateway exam. There has only been one CDC student to pass any of those exams in the last 6 years. Since they count against us, the admin is wanting to try and get them ready to pass the test. It is really daunting to know that I have to lay the base for teaching then algebra. Most come to me not being able to multiply!! But I am always up for a challenge. It would mean trying to teach Writing, Algebra (and the previous content needed), Biology and Life Skills. But I know if that is what my task is that God will help me formulate a plan that will fit each of my students. So for another year I will continue to be a Lebanon Blue Devil.

Oh one more really exciting thing! There is gong to be a daycare/preschool at Lebanon next year! So Ian and Riley will be at school with me while Caleb will start Kindergarten at Elsie Patton in Mt. Juliet. Matt and I both decided that the kids would not be attending their home school of Lakeview. We got really bad feelings just from certain things that we observed and made the decision to look at the elementary schools in MJ. Since they will be at the HS in Mt. Juliet, it made sense to us to get them in a school there. One of the perks of working in the same county!

Hard to say....

As much as I hate to type these words, I must. Little Ethan Powell lost the fight with cancer this morning. My heart aches for Ben and Becky. I cannot fathom their emotions right now, nor will I try. There is a link to the website if you want all the details, and Ben said they would continue to post for a few days. Please, please, please say a prayer for this family. Only God can give them the comfort they need.

Our Easter

Easter was so much fun this year. The kids were way excited about their baskets (no pictures- I was making breakfast) and the huge egg hunt after church. Since our church had no classes and service wasn't till 10:45 we hung out and played in the morning. Then after service it was off to dinner with Jason and Leah Tomlinson's family. It was so much fun, and I got to meet some new members of their family. We instantly felt at home (as always!). After lunch came the massive egg hunt. I call it massive because 1. there were TONS of eggs 2. we were running out of places to hide them, and 3. there were so many eggs that the kids were running around trying to figure out where to start. Caleb racked up the eggs. Once his basket got full he was finding them and tossing them at anyone hear by. Landon and Ian stuck close and got plenty added to their basket. Riley held her own, and once she figure out that you had to look for them she was off. Then we opened the eggs and sorted the candy. Now every (and I mean every) day I hear "can I have some candy?". Occasionally they get some, but Matt took all the chocolate to work and we sorted most of the hard stuff, so I think we are good! Here are some pictures of the festivities:

Don't know if you can see them but the many colored spots are eggs
Waiting for the signal to go (girls got a head start)
Searching like crazy (not that you had to look far)
The boys (Landon, Ian and Caleb)


No sooner than an egg was in her had her eyes were searching
Helping each other out- maybe I'll get 2 more years of this
The sorting- They were sneaking candy right and left- can't believe they didn't toss anything!
The goods
Heading home


The Easter Service was amazing. I was in awe of my Lord and Savior all over again. My spirit was renewed and I feel recharged for the fight. It was a wonderful day for celebrating our Lord and spending the day with friends

Clement-isms from the kids

* I need an iceberg (aka- I need an ice pack)

* The energy made my arms flop and poke my eyes- I can feel it tingling me (aka- I kept poking my eye and getting upset for no reason)

* You're the Bobafet (aka- You're awesome!)

*My head is so dizzy (aka- I'm about to hurl in the van)

* That is so wicked (aka- that is so wicked-duh)


These are just some of the things that have come out of my kids mouths in the last few days. They crack me up what they will say! I'll be posting some pictures soon!

Work in progress

UPDATE: OK so I got it to work. I think I went the really long way around, but I am not a computer genius by any means!! Let me know what you think!

I'm going to be changing some things up on our blog over the next week. I found a template that I really like, but I'm having trouble getting it to work (and being that I only know how to do certain things does not help!). So hopefully my amazing and wonderful programmer of a husband can do it for me when he gets home! maybe..... :)

Snow Day, Gaming and more fun!

Sorry for the lack of updates! We started our Spring Break this week, and I actually had to "work" Monday and Tuesday so I am just now getting around to getting the pictures posted. There is something in the Education field called "In-service", and in this county, if you do not get your required number of days (30) by April, you get your pay docked. Since I wasn't hired till late in the summer I have been scrambling to get all my hours in. Hopefully I will be able to get most of them done this summer for next year. That way I am not left trying to get them all in- gets a little stressful! My mother in law, Linda, came down for those days and helped us out. The kids enjoyed it and hopefully she did too! It was a little crazy I'm sure, but they had fun digging out some bushes in the front of our house (see we put her to work, not only watching the kids, but getting some landscaping done!) and playing in the amazing weather. We have continued having all the fun since. The weather has been great and we have played to our hearts content outside. Our driveway is an amazing mural of the kids creativity and the dirt in the front has never looked more lively! :) I thought I would post some pictures of recent activities and just fill everyone in. We will be doing some fun things this weekend and next week so I will post more later.

We had a few snow days this month and I never really got a lot of pictures. We had on on the day of Caleb's surgery, but I didn't get any pictures since we pretty much stayed inside because of Caleb. So we had another snow day and we went out early. The kids had fun just running in it. They didn't want to wear gloves, so their little hands got pretty cold. We attempted to make a snowman, but he got stomped on by all 3, so he was not much more than a pile of mush, when I got the camera! After the playing we came in and had pancakes and hot chocolate with marshmallows of course- is there any other way to warm up?







One thing that I am trying to be more consistent at is doing a family devotional in the evening before bed. We have a book that we are going through right now, and then will be doing a few activity books later on. The other evening we were reading our story and I always have them repeat the bible verse of the evening and they each take turns saying it. They are getting pretty good at remembering them. They really like the stories and enjoy asking and answering questions. We have always prayed together and with each kid, but I want to get better at doing these.



For Christmas Matt got his wish of a bigger TV. Luckily Tommy was here to help Matt pick it up and get it set up. But we also got a PS3 and the kids (I am including my husband here) are enjoying it. We downloaded some demos to try and see what we liked and the kids have 2 favorite games. They love the duck game and this little toy car game. I even love the games. I took some pictures of them playing. They are pretty good at them too. On the toy car game you have to turn the controller to direct where you are going. Riley actually did really well and had fun. They are so good at taking turns and making sure that everyone gets a chance to play. Right now the TV is on an end table since we can decide if we want to mount it or just get a stand, but it works perfectly!


Caleb has also taken an interest in playing the guitar. Matt has been playing songs that the kids can sing to and I think it sparked a flame in Caleb. He was trying to practice on Daddy's the other day and I snapped away. We are going to go get a smaller one this weekend so Matt and Caleb can practice together. He has been counting down the days since Sunday, just to get to Friday so we can go.


Next week we will be hitting the Zoo with the Tomlinson's and getting in lots of time outside. We spent about 3 hours in McDonald's yesterday. Yes, I did say 3 hours! Marcie and I worked on Prom songs while the kiddos played. It was actually a lot of fun and we got the much needed song list out of the way. Some of you don't know, but in addition to just plain going back to work this year, I was nominated for the Faculty Advisory Committee and I offered to help Marcie with the prom. So far it has been pretty fun and Marcie really handles all the transactions, but we are able to bounce ideas off of each other and it helps the decision making go smoother. Plus it gives Marcie and I opportunities to get to know one another better. She really is a wonderful friend and co-worker. So I will be posting again soon with some more fun pictures and our adventures over spring break!

A real update coming soon! :)

I will not count this little blurb as an update, just because it really has no meaning! :) This is the last week before Intercession and our Spring Break ( we are out for 2 weeks! I cannot wait!!!!). I have some pictures to get on here, so be looking for a REAL update by the weekend. Things have been busy, but we got our taxes done last night and now I just have to wade through the papers on my desk, then I will get to updating.

Surgery went well

Caleb's surgery went well. When I woke up this morning, all of middle Tn was covered in snow and ice. The schools were closed and there were several serious wrecks already at 4:30. I called in to make sure my Dr had not called in and canceled the surgery and Caleb and I headed in. Our amazing and loving God cleared the roadways for us. The highways were clear and even the back roads downtown were good, frosty but passable. Caleb's surgery got bumped 2 hours so we got to play and watch the snow. They had a TV and video game system, so Caleb was pretty entertained. He went back and when the Dr came to talk to me, I was told that his adenoids were the second largest he has ever seen. They had to do a lot of shaving and then cauterized them to minimize the bleeding. WE are all home now and the kids are down for the count. And to be honest- so is this mommy!

Surgery, snow and ice- OH MY!

Sorry for the lack of updates on here. Matt and I were kid-less for a week and I just didn't update. Well I thought about it, but I was going into work early and staying a little late to get caught up on everything and to get started on several IEP's that were coming up. I think I got a little too much sleep while they were gone though. I am back to normal now and feel much better. While the kids were gone we were able to get together with Mike and Ann Lewis. It was so much fun and we truly had an amazing time. We were out sooooo late, and I still managed to get up at 4:30. The kids had a great time at Lee and Linda's, but I think they are glad to be home. They were up there for a week, and an ice storm hit while they were there. I think they were pretty entertained even though they had to stay inside. We went up and got them Saturday at Matt's cousin's birthday party. I was so happy to see them. Matt and I truly enjoyed our time together, but there is nothing like having your kids arms around your neck squeezing so tight and telling you they love you and missed you so much!

They have done fairly well heading back to school. I don't think they gave Lucy a moments peace once they got back. They will be out the rest of the week, but will be ready to go next Monday.

Tomorrow Caleb has his surgery. It is supposed to start around 7:30. Hopefully it will all go well. I know the last time he was under anesthesia, he had a terrible time coming out of it. They just gave Riley a "sleepy drink" so I am hoping that will be done for him too. Then after Caleb gets discharged, it is over to the pediatrician's office for an ear check for Ian. He has woken up the last few nights upset that his ear was hurting. I'm thinking it might be an ear infection. Then it will be home for sleep and soft treat for my big boy. Matt will be staying with him Thursday and then my mom is staying with them on Friday. I know the kids will like that- getting to see both grandmas in one week!

I may not even have to take a sick day tomorrow. it is sleeting and snowing right now and if they call off school I get to keep my day. Everyone, I mean EVERYONE is praying for another snow day. I kind of want it to wait till April since we don't have any days off then. This cold weather is conducive for me to loose weight. I wiggle more to stay warm and i don't eat as much and I actually drink more liquids. So far I have dropped 12 lbs! I'm hoping that I didn't gain any back the week the kids were gone. I didn't work out but I still watched what I ate.

Well I have to finish dinner and watch for my loving hubby to come home! Have amazing day!

Snow Day - The Update

We had a blast out in the snow. We didn't stay out to long because the kids got cold pretty quick, but they had fun looking at it. The boys made snow angels and made mini snowballs. Riley was not really please with the whole thing. She slipped on the back porch area and that was the end of her fun. It was still snowing when we went out and the kids tried to catch snowflakes on their tongues, but they were not to successful. After our outside adventure, we drank some hot chocolate and snuggled to watch a movie. Naps were something that never actually happened, although there was a lot of pretend napping. Right now, the kids are pretending they are in Florida at the Alligator Farm. I think they are ready for warmer temps so they can play outside. We did make a Valentines cake and we will be making Daddy's favorite cookies here in a little bit. So far it has been a wonderful day. I have enjoyed feeling like a stay at home mom again (even if Riley did get up at 5:00 instead of letting Mommy sleep in!). Maybe it will freeze again tonight and we can do it all over again tomorrow! :)

Snow Day Pictures

The first glimpses of snow! :)

The boys would have run out right then.

Mini Snow Angel's (Ian)

Mini Snow Angel's (Caleb)

I could say that Riley was trying to make a snow
angel, but the reality is she fell and was in no way
happy that she was cold and wet!

FINALLY!!!

We finally got a "snow day" today. Every time the surrounding counties are shut down, we have been open. I have a feeling that the central office got an earful after the last day we were not closed because the back roads were really bad and several of the buses were late because the had to go really slow on the ice. Either way- I'm happy to be home with the kids today! I got up and did my morning routine and then turned on the TV just in case they decided not to give us one. I was pretty happy when I saw "Wilson County - Closed" scrolling across the screen. There was mainly ice on the roads (back roads) so I think that is the reason, but when I looked outside a few minutes ago, it was snowing! The kids are so excited. I think we will get dressed and go see if we can play in it for a few min. I have to be a little careful, because I think Riley is getting a cold, and Caleb really does not need to get one. I cannot give him any meds that contain aspirin because of his surgery in 2 weeks. So we may go for a little while and then come inside to warm up with some hot chocolate. At least this day will help me get caught up on Laundry and get my Lesson Plans in my book. They are starting the 3rd round observations, so I want to make sure I have everything ready. I'll post some pictures later tonight. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Pictures as promised :)

I really took the following 2 pictures because I wanted it documented that my kids actually loved to clean. When we get done from dinner, if they see me get the cloth to wipe the table down, I get eager requests to do it. On this day I got the entire table (underneath too) and all the chairs scrubbed clean!











Ian and Riley have to "hop" on the table to help






Caleb loves to practice his handwriting. He asks just about every day to practice and do "homework". I had to document this just to one day say- "see you use to beg to do this and would cry if we were not able to!"







Showing off the finished product. I have had to change my style or manuscript from Dnealian to Zanier. Not to bad, I just have to concentrate when I am making out the sheets. I wish they would all stick to the same style. Every school (elm) here uses a different style. Kind of irritating!




Sorry that this one is sideways. This was our Tornado shelter. We had the kids sleeping in the closet under the stairs in the laundry room when the wind was crazy and we were not sure where the tornado was exactly. Ian and Riley were fussing over each other getting in the others space, but one they fell back asleep we were all good. They were snuggling then! Poor Caleb had the feet end of Ian and Riley's deal. Once they fell asleep he was able to get comfortable and drift off. At first when we brought them down, Caleb was upset because he thought he was in trouble and that is why we were making him sleep in the closet! We explained that he was not in trouble, but that the weather was really bad and we wanted to be safe and have them down here already, just in case. Matt and I snickered a little after that because it reminded us of Harry Potter. :) After about and hour and a half we moved the kids back upstairs and then I headed to bed since I had to work and give a state wide test in the morning. Matt stayed up till the storms were further to the east and then crashed. Needless to say we were all extremely tired the next day and evening.

Been a little too long

Sorry for the lack of updates. I have been extremely busy this week. I had in-service hours to get in on Monday, Tuesday we had some really bad storms come through (more later), Wednesday I had to administer my first Gateway exam to our CDC students, and then Thursday we had Parent/Teacher conferences. So here I sit at the computer in a slightly dazed state, but loving listening to my kiddos playing upstairs.

I have some pictures of our "severe thunderstorm / tornado" hiding spot, but I have to upload them from my camera. We got pretty lucky that we only had severe winds and some bad rain. My cousin, Jessica, who attends Union University in Jackson TN was not so lucky. Her dorm is basically gone. We were all pretty worried and we relieved to hear that she was alive and not trapped along with some fellow students from her dorm. She was sore, but was only treated for minor scrapes, abrasions and such. Wednesday, her fiancee Tim, my Aunt Candy and Uncle Gerry made it into Jackson to see her and were able to take her home. So far she was only able to retrieve her wallet, laptop, bridesmaids dress she needs for a wedding she is in, and a blanket her mom made for her. All of her clothing is trapped under a leaning wall and they are not sure that she will be able to get to those or any of her other belongings. We are so thankful that she is OK and was not seriously hurt. What a way to end your senior year! There were several places all around us that were hit with tornadoes and I have several co-workers that were hit as well.

The kids will be hitting the birthday party circuit this week. We have one on Sunday and then more on through the weekend. Matt and I are looking forward to a break while Lee and Linda take the kids to IN for a week (in 2 weeks). I think we are gong to hit a nice restaurant to celebrate our anniversary. I'll update more tomorrow with pictures! Have a blessed evening with your families!

7 years ...

On this day seven years ago I married my best friend, the love of my life, the man I knew would be the awesome Father that he has become and my perfect gift from God! Here we are today with 3 kids, and a few more gray hairs, but the love is still there and has grown more than ever. Matt- I love you and I am so blessed to have you as my life long companion. Thanks for helping me grow and for loving me through my faults and oddities. I love you with all my heart! Happy Anniversary!